11. Emery Creek (Upper)
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 16S R 22E Sections. 8, 9, 10 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group; #4134 Robinson Hole
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper
Impacts: The cumulative impacts from livestock over-utilization have seriously altered the physical features of upper portions of this perennial stream. Livestock grazing has led to loss of the water table, loss of riparian structure, disruption of flow, severe erosion, loss of thermal capabilities, loss of channel, and severe utilization of riparian and adjacent upland understory. Water quality has been severely degraded; manure and the remains of livestock carcasses lie in the stream. Utilization has been severely concentrated along the drainage course and in adjacent sagebrush habitat. The riparian greenline has been extensively replaced by non-riparian species. Severe utilization levels have resulted in brush and juniper encroachment.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently withdrawn from this location. Significant riparian recovery, stabilization, and significant reduction in erosion potential would require more than 10 years. Minimal riparian shrub recovery (dependent on any regenerative capability) would require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willow and other riparian shrubs need to reach a minimum height of 6 feet or more prior to exposure even to short duration grazing. The severe loss of riparian structure along the upper portions of this stream will require more than the minimum years for substantial recovery.
List of Figures:
1. Severe erosion, loss of water table, loss of channel, loss of vegetation and riparian greenline.
2. Severely degraded water quality, loss of channel and flow.
3. Invasive weeds, loss of vegetation, severe trampling impacts.
4. Severely degraded channel, severe utilization impacts.
